Press release: New international project will empower vulnerable students and support their active participation in school and community life
BRATISLAVA, November 24, 2025
The non-profit organization Škola dokorán – Wide Open School n.o. , in cooperation with UniCredit Foundation and international partners, is launching the Hubs4Teens project (Empowering Vulnerable Children through Community Learning Centers), aimed at supporting vulnerable students aged 11-15 who need greater motivation and opportunities to develop their skills both in and outside of school.
The three-year project, funded by UniCredit Foundation through the EduFund Platform with a total investment of €940,000, is developed in cooperation with partners from Croatia, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands and Slovakia.
The initiative aims to create an inclusive learning environment that connects formal and informal education, schools, families, and communities. The project strengthens children's social, emotional, and financial skills and helps them build resilience and self-confidence. At the same time, it creates an approach that can be applied in other schools and communities.
Silvia Cappellini, General Manager at UniCredit Foundation, said: “Hubs4Teens is a project that embodies the spirit of UniCredit Foundation: working side by side with schools, families and local communities to ensure that every young person has access to meaningful learning opportunities. It is a powerful example of how innovative, community-based education can transform the lives of vulnerable adolescents. Through the EduFund Platform, we are proud to support this initiative that strengthen students’ social, emotional and financial skills, helping them build confidence and resilience.”
Connecting schools and communities as the key to motivating children
The Hubs4Teens project builds on the successful model of Play Hubs community game rooms, which have been helping young children and families learn through playing since 2017. The new project extends this approach to older students and develops it into Hubs4Teens – spaces where learning, creativity, and community collaboration come together.
The innovation of the project lies in connecting schools and community centers in the spirit of the OECD's vision of "Schools as Learning Hubs" – schools as open educational centers for entire communities.
"This project offers an important solution that combines proven school practices with vibrant Hubs4Teens community centers. This comprehensively addresses not only the immediate but also the systemic causes of school dropout, giving vulnerable children a chance at lifelong success," said Miroslav Sklenka, director of the Wide Open School n.o. organization.
Three steps to meaningful learning
The project will be implemented in three phases:
- Self-assessment of schools and communities – schools identify their needs using a proven diagnostic tool.
- Joint planning – local action teams composed of teachers, representatives of informal centers, and community actors will be formed to prepare an activity plan tailored to local needs.
- Implementation of modules – regular activities, tutoring, creative workshops, experiential learning, and child-led activities will take place in Hubs4Teens schools and centers.
One of the schools where the project will be implemented in Slovakia is the elementary school and kindergarten in Spišský Hrhov. The school's principal, Peter Strážik, adds: "Every day at our school, we encounter challenges that prevent vulnerable students from reaching their full potential. Thanks to Hubs4Teens, we can better understand what motivates students and focus on activities that support their education. We believe that our school will become an even safer and more inspiring center for the entire community."
Strong international partnership
The project, funded by UniCredit Foundation through the Edu-Fund platform , is being implemented by an international consortium of organizations from six countries:
- Lead partner: Škola dokorán – Wide Open School n.o., Slovakia.
- Implementation partners: Partners Hungary, Hungary; Educational Research Institute, Slovenia; Open Academy Step by Step, Croatia; APS Cubo Libro, Italy.
- External partner: ICDI/International Child Development Initiative, Netherlands.
Media Contact:
Erika Szabóová
Project Manager
eri.szaboova@gmail.com / 0907 405 956
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